Pop charts are dominated by Big Band artists such as Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole RnB charts feature African-American artists playing to primarily African –American artists. Allan Freed is the exception with his show “Moon Dog”, which attracts a growing audience of white and black teenagers alike. He plays up tempo rhythm and blues hits. Freed eventually names this cross-current of musical styles and influences - electric blues, boogie, jazz, gospel, R&B vocal groups and country – "Rock and Roll".

Solid body electric guitar is introduced 45 RPM single is introduced Black R&B artists like Fats Domino begin to climb pop charts White artists such as Pat Boone and The Crew Cuts begin to cover R&B songs and turn them into pop hits.

1950’s Artists

Elvis Presley Tops the charts with his first single release “Heart Break Hotel” First artist ever to have 9 singles in the top 100 at one time. Elvis goes on to make many movies and records over 40 albums.

Rock music dominates the pop charts Rock music becomes diversified(folk, surf music, bubble gum rock) By 1964, American artists are sharing the top of the charts with UK bands, like the The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. Garage bands emerge, inspired by the British invasion sound. Song writing begins to include political statements and social consciousness. Psychedelic music reflects growing hippie culture Harder rock sound emerges, paving the way for heavy metal

Television plays a major role in attracting young audiences to rock ‘n roll American Bandstand Ed Sullivan Show

Facts By 1957 rock and roll artists appear regularly on the popular music charts and by 1959 rock and roll records account for 43% of all records sold. The end of the decade is marked by tragedy as a February 1959 plane crash takes the lives of rock and roll stars Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens.

The Beatles dominate the sixties record charts with 6 of the top 10 albums of the decade and 21 of the decades' top 100 singles. Their nearest competitor is Elvis Presley with 9 of the decades' top 100 singles and 4 of the decades' top 100 albums. Psychedelic Rock: Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane Bubblegum Rock: The Archies, The Monkees

Top Rock Artists Hard Rock: Cream, Led Zeppelin, Vanilla Fudge, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Steppenwolf, Deep Purple, Blind Faith, The DoorsLed Zeppelin

Beatles break up, but all four continue to impact the decade with successful solo careers Early 70’s are marked with deaths of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison, who all die at the age of 27. Elvis Presley dies in 1977; people start flocking to his home, Graceland. Psychedelic rock declines, but morphs into hard rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal. Touring bands move from playing clubs and theatres, to sports arenas and outdoor stadiums, playing to thousands at a time.

Big time bands like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Pink Floyd travel in private jets. Car stereos become important, first with FM radio stations, then the 8 track, followed with the cassette tape.

Early 70’s are dominated by singer songwriters like James Taylor, Carole King, Don McClean, Cat Stevens, Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, John Denver and Soft Rock: Elton John, The Carpenters, Billy Joel, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac, Olivia Newton- John Live albums are popular for bands such as KISS. Reggae becomes a world wide genre Disco dominates the radios and dance floors. Bands start incorporating synthesizers in a style that was termed New Wave

Hard Rock / Arena Rock / Heavy Metal: Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Blue Oyster Cult, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Rush, Boston, Journey, Peter Frampton, Nazareth, Styx, Queen, Van Halen Progressive Rock: Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Can, Gentle Giant, Soft Machine, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Kansas, Utopia, Rush, Supertramp Blues Rock: Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, George Thorogood, Steve Miller Band